Rack for supporting tobacco leaves for curing

ABSTRACT

A light-weight tobacco rack comprising a pair of separable substantially U-shaped rack frames, one of which has a plurality of spikes thereon for penetrating a mass of tobacco leaves, and wherein corresponding legs of the frames are telescopically arranged to facilitate assembling and separating the rack frames.

United States Patent [1 1 Home [ 1 Oct. 23, 1973 RACK FOR SUPPORTING TOBACCO LEAVES FOR CURING [75] Inventor: Frank Leigh Horne, Charlotte, N.C.

[73] Assignee: Gas-Fired Products, Inc., Charlotte,

[22] Filed: May 31, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 258,390

[52] U.S. Cl. 294/5.5 [51] Int. Cl A24b 1/06 [58] Field of Search 294/55; 56/275;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,143,370 8/1964 Danford et al.... 294/55 3,244,445 4/1966 Wilson 294/55 3,229,831 1/1966 Long 294/55 X 912,902 2/1909 Sharon 294/55 3,250,405 5/1966 Rosser 294/5.5 X 3,251,620 5/1966 Hassler 294/5.5

Primary Examiner-Even C. Blunk Assistant Examiner.lohnny D. Cherry AttorneyPaul B. Bell [57] ABSTRACT A light-weight tobacco rack comprising a pair of separable substantially U-shaped rack frames, one of which has a plurality of spikes thereon for penetrating a mass of tobacco leaves, and wherein corresponding legs of the frames are telescopically arranged to facilitate assembling and separating the rack frames.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures RACK FOR SUPPORTING TOBACCO LEAVES FOR CURING This invention relates to an improved rack for supporting masses of tobacco leaves to facilitate transporting and bulk curing of the leaves.

For many years, tobacco leaves have been curedby suspending the same from tobacco sticks resting upon horizontal beams, generally known as tier poles, which are arranged in generally uniformly horizontally spaced relationship within an enclosure or tobacco barn. More recently, a so-called bulk curing system has been proposed in which masses of tobacco leaves are placed in substantially rectangular racks and are held therein by spikes, prongs, rods or the like which pierce the leaves. Such racks, with the masses of tobacco leaves therein, are suspended from the tier poles in a barn equipped with a forced air circulation system to insure effective curing of the leaves in bulk form. U.S. Pat. No. 3,] 10,326 discloses the general concept of bulk curing tobacco utilizing a relatively simple tobacco rack characterized by a bar provided with a row of spikes which are thrust through a mass of leaves resting on another bar. The opposite endsof the two bars are then interconnected by long bolts extending therethrough.

Subsequently, various other forms of tobacco racks were developed which departed from the simple structure of the tobacco rack of the aforementioned patent in attempts to confine the mass of leaves more effectively with the spikes thereof piercing'the leaves. Such other forms of tobacco racks are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pats. Nos. 3,134,583 and 3,244,445. However, such other forms of tobacco racks are quite complex, heavy, cumbersome and bulky, requiring at least two persons, working together, in order to pierce a mass of leaves with the spikes and to assemble the rack so as to hold the mass of leaves on the spikes during further handling and curing of the tobacco leaves. Also, some of the subsequent forms of tobacco racks have required that their poles be spaced apart in quite precise relationship to accommodate the particular tobacco racks, they have been constructed of many parts, and they have required the use of special supporting equipment during the loading of the racks, with consequent increased costs in manufacturing the racks and the loading equipment used therewith.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved highly efficient tobacco supporting rack utilizing spikes for penetrating the tobacco leaves, which rack is of light-weight, simple and economical construction, and whose separable components may be easily assembled and disassembled and moved from place to place by only one person.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tobacco supporting rack of the character described which may be loaded with tobacco leaves without necessarily utilizing specially constructed equipment for supporting the racks or any components thereof during the loading operation and including the piercing of the tobacco leaves by the spikes of the rack.

According 'to the invention, in its preferred embodiment the rack comprises a pair of light-weight substantially. U-shaped rack frames each having a bridging portion and a pair of opposing legs connected to and projecting from opposing end portions of the respective bridging portion. The rack frames normally occupy mating relationship with the bridging portions thereof in opposing, substantially parallel, spaced relationship and with corresponding legs of the pair of rack frames normally being disposed in telescoping relationship. A plurality of spaced spikes are carried by the bridging portion of one of the rack frames and extend substantially parallel to the legs thereof, and each spike is of a length substantially the same as the legs of the corre sponding rack frame. Also, means carried by at least one of the legs of one of the U-shaped rack frames cooperates with an adjacent corresponding leg of the other rack frame for releasably holding the rack frames together.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the rack of this invention with the two rack frames thereof occupying their normal assembled mating relationship;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view looking down substantially along line 2-2 in FIG. 1, showing the telescoping relationship between adjacent legs of the two rack frames and also showing a preferred means for holding the adjacent legs in assembled position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one end portion of the spike-supporting rack frame;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, mostly in elevation and at a reduced scale, taken substantially along line 4-4 in FIGS. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken transversely of the bridging portion of the substantially U-shaped spike-supporting rack frame, and looking substantially along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, in its preferred embodiment the tobacco supporting rack of this invention comprises a pair of light-weight substantially U-shaped rack frames, namely, a first U-shaped rack frame 10 and a second U-shaped rack frame ll. Rack frames 10, 11 include respective elongate bridgingportions 101, 11a to opposing end portions of which respective pairs of legs 10!), 10c and 11b, 110 are connected. It is desirable that the rack is of minimal weight so that it may be easily assembled and disassembled, and handled otherwise, by one person. On the other hand, it is desirable that the tobacco rack is of durable construction so that it may withstand rough usage. Accordingly, first rack frame 10 is shown in the form of a metal tube which may be of polygonal or round crosssection and is bent into the desired U-shaped form so that the legs 10b, 10c thereof are integral with bridging portion 10a, thus providing curved portions at the junctures of the legs 10b, 106 with bridging portion 10a.

The legs 10b, of first rack frame 10 extend substantially normal to bridging portion 10a so that legs 10b, 100 are disposed in spaced substantially parallel relationship. However, it is preferred that the legs 10b, 10c converge slightly toward their free ends so as to aid in inserting them in the respective legs 11b, 11c of second rack frame 11. A row of a plurality of spaced apart, substantially parallel and substantially pointed rods or spikes 10d is positioned between the legs 10b, 10c, and corresponding ends of the spikes 10d are welded or otherwise suitably secured to bridging portion 10a. As preferred, each spike 10d extends through the tubular bridging portion 10a of first rack frame 10 and is welded to diametrically opposed portions of bridging portion 10a as best shown in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, rack frames 10, 11 normally occupy mating relationship with the bridging portions thereof in opposing, substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship. Corresponding legs of the two rack frames are normally positioned in telescoping relationship and are of complementary lengths facilitating separating and assembling the two rack frames 10, 11. Accordingly, the two legs 11b, Me of second rack frame 11 project a substantial distance from opposing end portions of the respective bridging portion 11a and preferably are of substantially the same length as the opposing legs b, 100 of first rack frame 10.

Although the legs 11b, lie of second rack frame 11 may be of tubular form, it is preferred, as shown, that legs 11b, 11c, as well as bridging portion 11a, are channel-shaped in cross-section, with the opposing side flanges of bridging portion llla facing upwardly or toward the bridging portion 10a of first rack frame 10, and with the side flanges of the legs 11b, 11c facing inwardly toward each other for loosely or slidably receiving the respective legs 10b, 10c of first rack frame 10 therebetween. The lower ends of the opposing legs 1 1b, 11c of second rack frame 11 are suitably secured to or formed integral with opposing end portions of bridging portion 11a. Also, the opposing legs 11b, 11c extend upwardly substantially normal to bridging portion 11a and have the proximal surfaces of their webs spaced further apart than the distance between the distal surfaces of the legs 10b, 10c of first rack frame 10 to facilitate ready insertion of first rack frame 10 in second rack frame 11 and to also facilitate ease in withdrawing and separating first rack frame 10 from second rack frame 11.

When rack frames 10, 11 are positioned in their normal mating relationship as shown in FIG. 1, the free ends of the legs 10b, We of first rack frame 10 may abut against the web of the channel-shaped bridging portion 11a of second rack frame 11. Thus, the spikes 10d may be of substantially the same length as the length of legs 10b, 100, although it is preferred that the free pointed ends of spikes 10d are spaced slightly inwardly of the plane of an imaginary line connecting the free ends of the legs 10b, 100 so that the free pointed ends of spikes 10d do not engage the web of the bridging portion of second rack frame 11, but are positioned in spaced relation between the opposing side flanges of bridging portion 11a when the two rack frames occupy their normal mating relationship.

Means are provided for releasably holding rack frames 10, 11 together in their normal mating relationship. To this end, a latch means 13 is secured to the outer surface of each leg 10b, 10c of first rack frame 10 and is positioned adjacent the corresponding bridging portion 10a. As best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, each latch means 13 may take the form ofa leaf spring member whose innermost or lowermost portion, remoted from bridging portion 10a of first rack frame 10, is riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the corresponding leg of first rack frame 10. Each leaf spring member is biased outwardly and has an outwardly projecting medial portion or latch projection 13b thereon adapted to fit in a corresponding opening 13c provided in the web of the corresponding leg 11b, 110 of second rack frame I 1.

Each opening 13c is spaced a relatively short distance from the free end of the respective leg 1 1b, 110 so that its upper wailin FIG. 4 serves as a keeper for the latch projection 13b of the corresponding leaf spring latch means 13. Additionally, extending upwardly from each latch projection 13b is a finger tab portion 13d adapted to engage the inner surface of the web of the corresponding leg 11b, 110 when rack frames 10, 11 are in their normal mating relationship with the latch projections 13b positioned in the respective openings 13c As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the finger tab portion 13d of each leaf spring latch means 13 extends inwardly at an angle away from the plane of the web of the respective leg 11b, 11c, and the upper or free end of the web of each leg 11b, 110 is cut away or recessed at 132. This, coupled wth the fact that the first rack frame 10 is rounded at the junctures of the bridging portion 10a with its legs 10b, 10c, facilitates a person positioning a finger against the outer surface of each tab portion 13d so that the operator may apply inward pressure to the two leaf spring latch means 13 to move the projections 13b thereof inwardly of the webs of the corresponding legs 11b 11c. Thereupon, the operator may readily withdraw the thus released first rack frame 10 from the second rack frame lll.

In order to lend rigidity to the webs of the legs 11b, 1 1c of second rack frame 11, it is preferred that the latter webs are of substantially V shape in cross-section with the point of the V facing inwardly so as to provide a very narrow surface against which the latch projection 13b of each leaf spring latch member 13 may slide, as well as portions of the legs 10b, 10c of first rack frame 10 and so that there is very little frictional resistance to relative movement between rack frames l0, 11 while they are being separated or assembled.

Although the flanges are shown projecting inwardly on the legs 1 1b, 11c of second rack frame 11, as is preferred, it is apparent that, instead, outwardly projecting flanges may be provided on the legs 10b, of first rack frame with the latter flanges straddling the legs 11b, 11c of the second rack frame 11, if desired, without departing from the invention.

In operation, with the first rack frame 10 removed from second rack frame 1 1, second rack frame 11 may be placed on any suitable supporting surface, whereupon harvested tobacco leaves are placed across the bridging portion 11a and between the legs 11b, 11c of second rack frame 11 until a suitable mass of leaves has accumulated on the bridging portion 11a, which mass may be compressed to a thickness about equal to the length of the spikes 10d; e.g., 10 to l5 inches. Thereupon, an operator simply inserts the free ends of the legs 10b, 100 of first rack frame 10 between the flanges of the respective legs 11b, of second rack frame 11 and then applies a downward force to the first rack frame 10 to cause the spikes 10d to pierce and penetrate the corresponding mass of tobacco leaves.

It is apparent that the legs llllb, 11c guide the legs 10b, 10c throughout the period during which the spikes 10d are being thrust through the mass of leaves and until the free ends of the legs 10b, 10c abut against the web of the bridging portion 11a of second rack frame 11.

At about the same time that the free ends of the legs 10b, 100 of first rack frame 10 engage bridging portion 11a of second rack frame 11., or immediately before such time, the latch projections 13b on the leaf spring latch means 13 each snap into the corresponding openings 13c provided in the webs of the legs 11b, Me of second rack frame 1 1, thus releasably securing the rack frames 10,11 together. It is apparent that, when the rack frames 10,1 1 are assembled, the opposing flanges on the legs 11b, 1 1c of second rack frame 11 insure that first rack frame is maintained in the'desired alignment with second rack frame 10 during subsequent handling of the mass of leaves carried thereby and during the curing of the same.

As heretofore described, it is preferred that second rack frame ill is of channel construction. It should be noted that the channel construction of second rack frame 11 also facilitates positioning the entire rack assembly, with a mass of tobacco leaves therein, in a tobacco barn having conventionally spaced tier poles thereon, since it is only necessary to rest the legs 11b, 1 1c and corresponding ends of the bridging portion 11a of second U-shaped rack frame 11 upon the usual tier poles similar to the manner in which tobacco sticks have conventionally been positioned upon tier poles for many years.

To separate rack frames 10, 111, an operator simply positions one finger of each hand against the tab portions 13d of latch means 13 and then exerts an inward force to tab portions 13d to withdraw latch projections 13b from openings 13c. While holding the tab portions 13d in the latter position, the operator then lifts upper or first rack frame 110 out of frame 11 while withdrawing spikes 10d from the mass of leaves then resting on bridging portion 1 la of lower or second rack frame 11. Because of the simple and light-weight construction of the tobacco rack, all of these operative steps may be easily carried out by one person. Also, the compact light-weight construction of the rack facilitates stacking and storing a large number of such racks in a relative small area and, still, the rack is of strong, durable construction so that it will withstand rough usage without being damaged. I

In the drawing and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed is:

1. A rack for supporting a mass of tobacco leaves for facilitating transporting and curing the leaves, said rack comprising first and second substantially U-shaped rack frames each having a pair of opposing legs and a bridging portion connecting the legs, the legs and bridging portion of said first rack frame being tubular in cross-section, and the legs and bridging portion of said second rack frame each being channel-shaped in cross-section, said rack frames normally being positioned in mating relationship with the legs of said first rack frame normally fitting between the flanges ofthe legs of said second rack frame so that the legs of said second rack frame normally straddle the legs of said first rack frame with the bridging portions of said frames disposed in opposing spaced relationship, the legs of both of said rack frames being of substantially equal length with the free ends of the legs of said first rack frame normally engaging said bridging portion of said rack frame, a plurality of spaced spikes carried by the bridging portion of said first rack frame and extending substantially parallel to the legs of said first rack frame, said spikes having free ends thereof normally positioned between the flanges of but spaced from the bridging portion of said second rack frame, a pair of outwardly biased leaf spring members secured to the outer surfaces of the legs of said first rack frame and having free end portions projecting away from the free ends of the last-mentioned legs, each leaf spring member having an outwardly projecting medial portion thereon, the web of each leg of said second rack frame having an openingtherethrough for receiving the projecting medial portion of the respective leaf spring member to releasably hold the rack frames together, and the webs of said legs of said second rack frame also being of generally V-shaped cross-section and forming a narrow ridge thereon facing inwardly and adapted to be slidably engaged by the legs of said first rack frame and by said leaf spring members.

2. A rack for supporting a mass of tobacco leaves for facilitating transporting and curing the leaves, said rack comprising first and second substantially U-shaped rack frames each having a pair of opposing legs and a bridging portion connecting the legs, the legs and briding portion of said second rack frame each being channel-shaped in cross-section, said rack frames normally being positioned in mating relationship with the legs of said first rack frame normally fitting between the flanges of the legs of said second rack frame so that the legs of said second frame normally straddle the legs of said first frame with the bridging portions of said frames disposed in opposing spaced relationship, the legs of both of said rack frames being of substantially equal length with the free ends of the legs of said first rack frame normally engaging said bridging portion of said second rack frame, a plurality of spaced spikes carried by the bridging portion of said first rack frame and extending substantially parallel to the legs of said first rack frame, said spikes having free ends thereof normally positioned between the flanges of the bridging portion of said second rack frame, a pair of outwardly biased leaf spring members secured to the outer surfaces of the legs of said first rack frame and having free end portions projecting away from the free ends of the last-mentioned legs, each leaf spring member having an outwardly projecting portion thereon, the web of each leg of said second rack frame having an opening therethrough for receiving therein the outwardly projecting portion of the respective leaf spring member to releasably hold the rack frames together, and the webs of said legs of said second rack frame also being of generally V-shaped cross-section and forming a narrow ridge thereon facing inwardly and adapted to be slidably engaged by the legs of said first rack frame and by said leaf spring members.

3. A light-weight rack for supporting a mass of tobacco leaves for facilitating transporting and curing the leaves, said rack comprising first and second substantially U-shaped rack frames, said first rack frame including a tubular bridging portion provided with a pair of tubular curved end portions integral with opposite ends of said bridging portion and a pair of opposing tubular legs integral with and projecting from the respective curved portions of said first rack frame, said second rack frame also including a bridging portion and a pair of opposing legs, said bridging portion and said legs of said second rack being channel-shaped in crosssection with the flanges of the last-named legs facing inwardly and being spaced apart to slidably receive therebetween the respective legs of said first rack frame, a row of spaced spikes secured to the bridging portion of said first rack frame and extending substantially parallel to the legs thereof, the distance from the ends of said legs of said first rack frame to the outer surface of the bridging portion thereof being substantially equal to the length of each leg of said second rack frame, said spikes having free ends positioned between the flanges of the bridging portion of said second rack frame when the free ends of the legs of said first rack frame are positioned against the web of said last-named bridging portion, said flanges of said last-named bridging portion being secured to the flanges of said legs of said second rack frame, and the webs of said legs of said second rack frame also being of generally V- shaped cross-section and forming a narrow ridge thereon facing inwardly and adapted to be slidably engaged by the legs of said first rack frame.

4. A rack according to claim 3, including a pair of outwardly biased leaf spring members secured to the outer surfaces of the legs of said first rack frame adjacent said tubular curved end portions of said first rack frame, said leaf spring members having free end portions projecting away from the free ends of the lastmentioned legs, each leaf spring member having an outwardly projecting medial portion thereon, the web of each leg of said second rack frame having an opening therethrough for receiving the projecting medial portion of the respective leaf spring member to releasably hold the rack frames together, and said leaf spring members being adapted to slidably engage said narrow ridges on the legs of said second rack frame.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION" Patent Dated October 23, 1973 Inventor(s) Frank Leigh Home It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 39, "their" should be --'the tier--;

Column 2, line 40, "101 ShOlll d be :--1 0 8. I

Column 3, line 56, "remoted" 'should be -r er note-;

Column 5, lirie 61, after "said" insertsjecond Signed and sealed this 12th da of March-1.97M"

(SEAL) Attestz. I EDWARD M.FLEI'CHEB, JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer A Commismioner' of Patents F QR" P040 50 (10-59) 

1. A rack for supporting a mass of tobacco leaves for facilitating transporting and curing the leaves, said rack comprising first and second substantially U-shaped rack frames each having a pair of opposing legs and a bridging portion connecting the legs, the legs and bridging portion of said first rack frame being tubular in cross-section, and the legs and bridging portion of said second rack frame each being channelshaped in cross-section, said rack frames normally being positioned in mating relationship with the legs of said first rack frame normally fitting between the flanges of the legs of said second rack frame so that the legs of said second rack frame normally straddle the legs of said first rack frame with the bridging portions of said frames disposed in opposing spaced relationship, the legs of both of said rack frames being of substantially equal length with the free ends of the legs of said first rack frame normally engaging said bridging portion of said rack frame, a plurality of spaced spikes carried by the bridging portion of said first rack frame and extending substantially parallel to the legs of said first rack frame, said spikes having free ends thereof normally positioned between the flanges of but spaced from the bridging portion of said second rack frame, a pair of outwardly biased leaf spring members secured to the outer surfaces of the legs of said first rack frame and having free end portions projecting away from the free ends of the last-mentioned legs, each leaf spring member having an outwardly projecting medial portion thereon, the web of each leg of said second rack frame having an opening therethrough for receiving the projecting medial portion of the respective leaf spring member to releasably hold the rack frames together, and the webs of said legs of said second rack frame also being of generally V-shaped cross-section and forming a narrow ridge thereon facing inwardly and adapted to be slidably engaged by the legs of said first rack frame and by said leaf spring members.
 2. A rack for supporting a mass of tobacco leaves for facilitating transporting and curing the leaves, said rack comprising first and second substantially U-shaped rack frames each having a pair of opposing legs and a bridging portion connecting the legs, the legs and bridging portion of said second rack frame each being channel-shaped in cross-section, said rack frames normally being positioned in mating relationship with the legs of said first rack frame normally fitting between the flanges of the legs of said second rack frame so that the legs of said second frame normally straddle the legs of said first frame with the bridging portions of said frames disposed in opposing spaced relationship, the legs of both of said rack frames being of substantially equal length with the free ends of the legs of said first rack frame normally engaging said bridging portion of said second rack frame, a plurality of spaced spikes carried by the bridging portion of said first rack frame and extending substantially parallel to the legs of said first rack frame, said spikes having free ends thereof normally positioned between the flanges of the bridging portion of said second rack frame, a pair of outwardly biased leaf spring members secured to the outer surfaces of the legs of said first rack frame and having free end portions projecting away from the free ends of the last-mentioned legs, each leaf spring member having an outwardly projecting portion thereon, the web of each leg of said second rack frame having an opening therethrough for receiving therein the outwardly projecting portion of the respective leaf spring member to releasably hold the rack frames together, and the webs of said legs of said second rack frame also being of generally V-shaped cross-section and forming a narrow ridge thereon facing inwardly and adapted to be slidably engaged by the legs of said first rack frame and by said leaf spring members.
 3. A light-weight rack for supporting a mass of tobacco leaves for facilitating transporting and curing the leaves, said rack comprising first and second substantially U-shaped rack frames, said first rack frame including a tubular bridging portion provided with a pair of tubular curved end portions integral with opposite ends of said bridging portion and a pair of opposing tubular legs integral with and projecting from the respective curved portions of said first rack frame, said second rack frame also including a bridging portion and a pair of opposing legs, said bridging portion and said legs of said second rack being channel-shaped in cross-section with the flanges of the last-named legs facing inwardly and being spaced apart to slidably receive therebetween the respective legs of said first rack frame, a row of spaced spikes secured to the bridging portion of said first rack frame and extending substantially parallel to the legs thereof, the distance from the ends of said legs of said first rack frame to the outer surface of the bridging portion thereof being substantially equal to the length of each leg of said second rack frame, said spikes having free ends positioned between the flanges of the bridging portion of said second rack frame when the free ends of the legs of said first rack frame are positioned against the web of said last-named bridging portion, said flanges of said last-named bridging portion being secured to the flanges of said legs of said second rack frame, and the webs of said legs of said second rack frame also being of generally V-shaped cross-section and forming a narrow ridge thereon facing inwardly and adapted to be slidably engaged by the legs of said first rack frame.
 4. A rack according to claim 3, including a pair of outwardly biased leaf spring members secured to the outer surfaces of the legs of said first rack frame adjacent said tubular curved end portions of said first rack frame, said leaf spring members having free end portions projecting away from the free ends of the last-mentioned legs, each leaf spring member having an outwardly projecting medial portion thereon, the web of each leg of said second rack frame having an openiNg therethrough for receiving the projecting medial portion of the respective leaf spring member to releasably hold the rack frames together, and said leaf spring members being adapted to slidably engage said narrow ridges on the legs of said second rack frame. 